The Future Starts Today

The future of the NHL now hangs in the balance as the board of governors voted unanimously yesterday to lock the players out until a new collective bargaining agreement can be reached. Negotiations have been taking place for the better part of the past year but no agreement was reached between the NHL and the NHLPA.

The NHL and the owners are intent on implementing a salary cap system to level the playing field and make it easier for weaker markets to compete with the high rollers, not to mention, preventing the owners from being forced to hand out ridiculously high priced contracts to even average players.

The NHLPA has made it clear they will never agree to such a system and that they believe players have the right to an open market system. With both sides so focused on getting their way, there is no telling how long this lockout may go on for. Unless a deal is reached by December, the 2004-2005 season will likely go by without a single match being contested.